Two years from now, residents with intellectual disabilities will be cheered on by a home crowd as they take to the podium to claim their medals.
In March 2019, the Special Olympics – the world’s largest sporting event of its kind – is coming to Abu Dhabi.
The event is a victory for the UAE’s special needs community in many ways. For starters, it will be the first time that the week-long games will be held in the Middle East.
"The awarding of the World Games was based on the country’s vision in creating inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities," says Special Olympics chief executive Mary Davis.
Meanwhile, on February 18, Enable, a social entrepreneurship initiative by landscaping company Desert Group, is holding an Inclusion Fair in Dubai in an attempt to help more people with special needs join the workforce.
There, 22 special needs participants will exhibit their products – which including kitchenware and art – for businesses to assess the potential of these small firms for investment.
Enable’s Emirati general manager, Reem Al Ghaith, says she sees a shift to inclusion by corporations.

Source: The National